Chuck Larsen

Haggai 1:7 says, “Thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways.” This phrase appears six times in the book. It’s a call to reflect on life as a whole and my own life in particular. Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” I would argue that the wise man of scripture is the one who is always “considering” his ways or examining his life. Many Christians hold a little disdain for Philosophy. They shouldn’t! Philos means love and Sophia means wisdom. It’s the wise man in Proverbs who loves wisdom.

The most profound reflection is “where did I come from?” I discussed that briefly yesterday. Another question is “why am I here?” Jean-Paul Sartre answered that question by contending that “all of life is an empty bubble on the sea of nothingness.” Of course that proceeds from the answer to the first question. If there is no creator, there is no purpose. If all life evolved by chance, life can have no true significance or meaning beyond the day to day pains and pleasures of life.

Those who believe Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God…” answer the second question much differently and therefore, they view life much differently. Christians often speak of the abundant life in which we exist to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. I am always astounded when unbeliever’s find themselves facing questions that are totally unanswerable because they assume the validity of the evolutionary hypothesis regarding the first question. Even Sigmund Freud said, “Only religion is able to answer the question of the purpose of life. One can hardly go wrong in concluding that the idea of a purpose in life stands and falls with the religious system.”

It’s simple: No God, No purpose! Know God, Know Purpose!

Chuck
“Do not abandon wisdom, and it will watch over you. Love wisdom, and it will protect you.” Proverbs 4:6

They key challenge from Haggai is to “consider your ways.” It appears six times in the book. In a way it’s a call to reflect on life as a whole and my own life in particular. Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” I would argue that the wise man of scripture is the one who is always “considering” his ways or examining his life. Many Christians hold a little disdain for Philosophy. They shouldn’t! Philos means love and Sophia means wisdom. Philosophy is the love or the pursuit of wisdom when rightly understood.

“Where did I come from?” Is the first and most important reflection on life. If we see ourselves as coming through a random evolutionary process we will view all life from this foundational premise. It says nothing plus infinite time plus chance equals everything that exists today. Even though I’ve argued in favor of this perspective in the past, it has never been completely convincing to me. Even though it’s the predominant view in our world, it is the most unsatisfactory view I can imagine. Thankfully, there is another option.

Tozer writes, “Everything has an origin. When you hear a bird sing, you know that once that bird was packed in a tiny little egg. It came from somewhere; it came from an egg. Where did the egg come from? It came from another little bird. And that bird came from another little egg, and that egg came from another bird, and so on, back, back, back to the heart of God.” Behind everything that exists is an intelligent Being who started it all. God’s Word, the Bible, begins with the answer to the most important question of philosophical reflection for all of life. It says, “In the beginning God…” He not only started the process but continues to guide it with some ultimate purpose in mind.

Chuck
“For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6

Haggai calls God’s people to reflect on their lives. At least six times in this short book God says “consider your ways.” He wants us to think about how we are living. It’s one thing to ask about what you believe, but it’s another thing to ask if what you say you believe is really acted upon in the way you live. He suggests that be looking at what you do, you can readily discern your major priorities. Haggai points to the fine houses they are living in and contrasts them with the broken down temple, God’s house. He’s saying “think about it. Doesn’t your actions really indicate what you truly believe in?” Jesus once said “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” I think Haggai is making a similar point.

I don’t think any warning could be more relevant for us today in a world that is running rampant with more things to do and activities to be involved in. We all live at such a hectic pace today and we often get so caught up with it that we have no time for God. When this happens we truly lose out on what matters most in life. We spend all our energy climbing the ladder that we find is leaning against the wrong wall.

The people were planting but harvesting little. They ate, but would never have enough. They would earn wages that would be stored in a bag with holes. The end result of all the effort was more dissatisfaction and discontentment. It reminds me of Jesus’ words to the woman at the well in Samaria. “Whoever drinks of this water, will thirst again.” The things of earth will never satisfy.

God doesn’t dwell in buildings today. But being in God’s presence in worship and knowing Him intimately in our daily lives deserves our top priority.

Chuck
“Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God… and all these things will be added unto you.” Luke 11:31